LGBTQ+ Journalism Network partner QueerAF is launching the first ever Trans+ History Week alongside trans non-binary creative Marty Davies and key stakeholders from across the LGBTQ+ sector.
The inaugural Trans+ History Week will take place from May 6 to 12 2024, the date coinciding with the anniversary of the 1933 Nazi raid on the world’s first trans clinic – also the site of one of the most infamous and well-documented book burnings of the Nazi regime.
Coming just before Pride Month, the week will be a reflective period to learn and celebrate the history of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people through content, events and exhibitions.
Founder of Trans+ History Week, Marty Davies, said: “The entirety of my schooling took place under Section 28.
“Earlier this year, I found out I’d been robbed of important history about myself and my community. Learning that one of the most famous Nazi book burnings was at a trans clinic was a huge surprise to me.
“But it made me wonder why – it’s an image we all saw in school, why didn’t we get the full context?”
Davies continued: “Like myself, most people didn’t get the chance to learn about the complex history of the world’s first trans clinic. Learning about it set me on a path of wanting to learn more and go deeper.
“If we rob people of their history, we deny them their humanity. I want to create space for us to stand joyfully in our present with our hands wrapped around our past. Using this knowledge to steel us as we carve out a better future.”
Jamie Wareham, founder of QueerAF, said: “Watching a QueerAF article about one of the first and most infamous Nazi book burnings taking place at the world’s first sex and gender clinic and quickly becoming a regular tool used to shut down ‘transgender trend’ chatter online was fascinating.
“It was immediately evident we needed more stories that could do the same.
“Fast forward a couple of months, after lots of behind-the-scenes consultation with some of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQIA+ organisations, trans+ creatives, community elders and trailblazers (whilst led by the trans+ creative who authored that article), we’re humbled to be launching Trans+ History Week.
“It sometimes feels a bit trite to say, but stories really do move people.
“They do change the world. – it’s a great shame there aren’t more Trans+ history stories more readily available. It’s time to fix that by building on, and celebrating the work that the incredible Trans+ archivers, historians and content creators are already doing in this space.”
The project is a QueerAF launchpad project which will support those leading the initiative to set up Trans+ History Week as a separate social enterprise to ensure its activity benefits the community and it has an enduring legacy.
Stonewall, Gendered Intelligence, PinkNews, Queer Britain and Trans Actual are just some of the LGBTQ+ and trans organisations supporting the initiative.
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